Category Archives: BAMA Awards

Now in its tenth year, the BAMA Forum and Awards dinner took place last week at the stunning Oulton Hall Hotel in Leeds.

In a record year for aerosol manufacturers, BAMA chief executive Patrick Heskins had a lot to be positive about.

Addressing the forum, he said: “Last year the UK filled 1.56 billion aerosols. You continue to amaze me. The number of products that come out of UK factories is quite astonishing.”

Inevitably the thorny issue of Brexit was a talking point, of which Patrick said: “Nobody actually knows what’s going to go on so we have to look at the worst case – hard Brexit. But we will be upping the information that we get to you. We also need to look at what’s imported into the UK. It could have as much impact on people that are importing as well as exporting.”

Thankfully one of the speakers at the event was there to talk specifically about the ‘b’ word. Rina Sond, Commercial Partner at Longmores Solicitors provided attendees with an informative overview of the legal implications Brexit could have on UK businesses, plus tips on how to best prepare for it.

A range of other topical issues were also covered by speakers at the forum, amongst whom was David Harrison, Client Director at Franklands Insurance and Risk Management, who outlined what can be covered by cyber insurance for manufacturing companies.

One of the highlights of this year’s forum was a presentation by Mary Frash, Head of Marketing for Ball Aerosol Packaging. In late 2017 she was among an industry group tasked with improving consumer perception of aerosol products in America. The result was Mist: Understood, a campaign designed to shift people’s perceptions of aerosols particularly amongst millennials. Mary said: “In the USA we have adoption issues with aerosols. Many consumers prefer stick deodorants and there’s confusion over CFCs and recyclability. “If consumers don’t think aerosols are recyclable then we have a problem.”

The marketers undertook consumer-centric research which incorporated social media listening. It revealed that the campaign’s conscious connector was male whose interests included things like garage projects.

The campaign began in August and kicked off with a project which saw artist Mike Graves create a spray-painted community mural at a Denver restaurant alongside members of the public. The mural was designed to address consumers’ environmental concerns about aerosols.

Mary added: “The content of the mural resonates with our target audience and it was a hugely successful day. It raises up the entire industry if aerosols have a better perception from consumers.”

It was as always, an incredible two days. Thanks to all who attended, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.

Why should you attend this annual event?
As we move into August, with Autumn just around the corner, we are very pleased to be turning our attention to the upcoming BAMA Forum and Awards in October. Already, we’ve put together a packed agenda which includes expert speakers, networking opportunities and an exciting program of entertainment.

With so many reasons to attend this year, it’s difficult to consider why you wouldn’t want to come along. But in case you were in any doubt, we have put together three reasons why attending this year is a good decision:

1. Network with the experts.It’s not often that experts from so many different sectors are under one roof at the same time. Invited to our event this year are guests from a range of different aerosol businesses, as well as speakers from the fields of consumer behaviour, recycling systems, the circular economy, packaging and technology.
As an association, we recognise the importance for businesses to keep up to speed in a world driven by continual political, technological and environmental developments. As well as opportunities for members to network during the conference period of this event, our drinks reception and dinner platforms are also aimed to provide ALL guests with a relaxed and professional arena where ideas and views can be exchanged and connections made.

2.Wine tasting! If you’ve ever wondered about the art of wine tasting or would like to add to your existing knowledge of this famed fermented grape juice then who better to enlighten you than former BBC 2 Food and Drink series presenter and wine connoisseur, Jilly Goolden?
During the drinks reception, Jilly will be sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge on the crispness, body and aroma of selected wines from around the world. Following the wine tasting there will be a four course meal followed by some surprise entertainment!

3.Industry knowledge and recognition If you are a BAMA member, you are invited to listen to presentations from a range of different speakers who will be sharing their thoughts on the aerosol industry from their own unique viewpoints. The diverse speaker line-up will provide our audience with a wide and informed view of where the aerosol industry is right now and where it will be in the future.
With just a month left until the entry deadline, members are invited to submit their entries to be in the running to win. Winning entries will receive industry recognition, press coverage and vouchers worth up to £500 for winners and £250 for runners-up in each of four categories.

BAMA Forum and Awards Dinner details
The BAMA Forum and Awards Dinner will be held at Oulton Hall, Leeds on the 18th & 19th October with both members and non-members invited to the evening dinner on the 18th. Members can attend the conference and submit award entries also. For further information please contact Amy Falvey or visit the BAMA website to book your place.

We are pleased to announce the return of our regular monthly blogs to keep you abreast of all our news. As there has been so much happening in the world of BAMA and indeed, in the aerosol industry, we wanted to bring you up-to-date on some of the activity over the past six months, including welcoming of new members, the latest industry developments and upcoming BAMA events.

New members
Firstly, let’s talk members. We are delighted to announce that this year, we have brought on board nine new BAMA members from a range of different sectors including labelling, waste management and contract packaging & logistics, bringing us up to 84 members. We are on our way to meeting our goal of 100 members by the end of 2018!
New members include:• Springfield Solutions
• Grundon Waste Management
• Lemonpath Contract Packing and Logistics
• Sarten Packaging
• Lisam Systems Ltd
• Melpass Ltd
• Emissco Ltd
• Exponent International
• Airpure International Ltd.

Australia reciprocal agreement (see image)
As well as welcoming new members, in March this year, to demonstrate our commitment to international trade, BAMA signed a reciprocal agreement with the Aerosol Association of Australia. We believe that this relationship will offer great benefits to members of both associations, particularly with the anticipated growth of the aerosol export market following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.
Innovation Day
And let’s not forget our BAMA Innovation Day held in April at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum – a great backdrop for the inspiring innovations we learned about on the day.
Speakers came from all over Europe to share and discuss their latest innovations, addressing the need for greater sustainability, driving cost efficiencies and maximising marketing opportunities.
Patrick Heskins talked about the BAMA Standard, the essential ‘cradle to grave’ point of reference for companies involved with the aerosol industry wanting to know more about aerosol design, supply, manufacturing, labelling and transportation.
Feedback from the day was extremely positive and we are already planning a bigger and better event for 2018. We hope you will join us!

Upcoming events
Looking to the future, there are lots of exciting things happening including our exhibition and speaking slot at the ADF conference in New York this September where BAMA’s membership and communications manager, Amy Falvey will be talking about the Future of Aerosols 2 project, the latest industry filling figures and the UK aerosol market.
Later on in the year, we will be hosting our 2017 BAMA Forum and Awards Dinner at Oulton Hall in Leeds. The event is set to be our best yet with a variety of different speakers giving their views on a variety of topics. We have already received some strong award entries from our members and are expecting even more before the 8th September deadline.
Finally, with the appointment of our new marketing and communications agency, Pelican Communications who specialise in packaging communications, we are looking forward to a very busy year promoting the industry and BAMA in new areas, enhancing perceptions of the aerosol as a sustainable packaging format, providing advice on safety standards and good manufacturing practice, plus, promoting the industry’s view to legislators, the media and key opinion formers.

Remember, whether you’re a member or not, if you have any feedback, suggestions or just want to chat – we’d love to hear from you.